Cambridge Liberal Democrats

Prudential must act now on Grafton Centre supermarket

A Cambridge City Councillor has called for action to secure a new supermarket in the Grafton Centre area after Marks and Spencer's Simply Food closed last week.

Cllr Tim Bick, who represents Market Ward, urged the Prudential, which runs the centre, to pull out all the stops to prevent customers shopping elsewhere.

He said: "Though we have to accept that finding a new food store tenant is a matter between commercial parties, for as long as there is no food store in the area, there will be one less reason for people to take their other business there. It will also sadly result in more people taking to their cars for food shopping, which is something the whole city would be better off without.

"I'd like to call on the Prudential to redouble its efforts to come up with a commercial formula that seals an agreement with one of the supermarkets to open a new store before alternative patterns of shopping set in.

"Since January, ward councillors have been in constant contact with the Prudential. It can be in no doubt about the local need for a replacement food store.

"We have been encouraged by their declarations of support and commitment; but after nine months the area is now without a food store and there is no still no firm news about the future.

"The council for its part is in the throes of planning an investment to improve the environment in the Fitzroy and Burleigh Streets which will hopefully bring benefit to Prudential, its tenants and all the other businesses that operate there."